Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-01
MAINE DISPATCHES.
Ar BRUNSWICK.
Second Day OF the Maine PedagOgical
Session.

BRUNSWICK, Dec. 81.
The second day OF the Pedagogical session
at Brunswick was attended by large gath
ering. The hotels are full to overfowin ing,
and yesterday many were notified not to
come owing to the lack Of accommodations.
This morning, before the regular session,
parties visited Bowdoin college labratory and
gymnasium.
The morning session was called to order BY
President Tash. The program consisted Of
an entertaining paper by Moses True Brown.
Chas r. Crandsll, M. D., of Portland, de-
livered an able address on the effect of alco-
ho on the nervous system. Professor Chrse
Of Bates college, read paper on the work
of the public schools as seen from the liter
ary standpoint. C. F. Warner Of Portland,
was unable to be present on account of ill
ness.
Friday afternoon there was large attend
ance. President Tash presided. The session
opened with paper Health in the School
room"-by Dr.. G. A PHILIPPE of Ellsworth
State superintendent N. A. Luce OF Augusta
made an address in the interest Of the society
and to the teachers for their support by be-
coming members. President VIM. e. Shell
don of the National Teachers Association
WAS introduced and extended = cordial invi-
taton to the society to attend the annual con-
vention in Chicago next summer, and to send
ten good men AS delegation, accompanied
by ten good women.
Prof. J. b. Sharland, teacher of singing
in Boston public schools, delivered an inter-
ssting address on obstruction in Singing. u
The paper on "What shall we do with our
boys, troublesome in school," by Walter S.
Parker, principal Of the Everett school of
Boston, was able and instructive.
President NJ. c. Fernald, PHI D., of the
State Agricultural college, read paper on
the work of the public schools as seen from
the industrial standpoint
| Prof. w. H. Jordan of Orono, superintend-
ent of the State Experiment Station, read a
paper on "Work in the public schools as seen
from the agricultural standpoint"
Friday evening Hen. VIM. Crockett OF
Fredericton, N. b., general superintendent
of schools of N. b., delivered an interesting
lecture on the function of the public school.
Before commencing his lecture he gave an
interesting account of the school system OF
New Brunswick schools. Following is a
brief abstract of the lecture:
The sklful teacher applies instruction az
a means to an end. The child needs devel-
opment and training of his natural powers in
a right direction; not that he may merely be-
come a tradesman or professional man, but
a man in the true sense OF the word. 1t de-
wolves upon the school to make the child's
natural powers a. perfect and complete al
the time and circumstances permit. The law
of mental development was illustrated. The
! limitations which the teacher must wish in
the carving out of this law is short and lrreg'
ulsr attendance interference with consecutive
instruction. One portion OF the class Is pre-
prepared for the abstract treatment OF
subject, while another portion, through
absence, stands in need of the explanation or
correct illustration of other agencies than
the school conceived of in the education OF
the child. There is wide field for teachers
operations. The pupil learns to understand
the relations which now bear to each othef
| and the duties Wnlcn OelOuI w tueui- hs
child needs other subjects for the broader de
velopment of his natural powers, history or
the impression of the inner world of human
experience, the outer world and nature FOL
The culture of the observing powers. The
question of practical education was then con
| sidered and shown how it might be conducted
without disturbing the functions of tn'
school Manipulating powers could be ac
quired by proper training in all manual worl
of the school. unity, drawing, measuring, etc
Industrial knowledge could be impaired
through many Of the reading lessons supple
mented by oral instruction, domestic econ
omy, sewing and knitting could be taught b.
female teachers and suitable work provided
for the boys. By such exercises, If eaci
teacher had faith in his work, though thu
ideal might not be reached, pupils would g
forth fsiy prepared to act their part IN life
Prof. Moses T. Brown of Tnfts Colleg'
delivered an address on the elements OF ex
pressive reading with illustrative readings.